Tues 16 Aug day 53 Tairua Coromandel

Tairua is another pretty seaside town which we get an amazing view after another 20 minute  climb to the peak of  Mt Paka, we can also see the nearby Alderman Islands and Shoe, Slipper, Rabbit and Goat Islands. We drive further north to Hot Water Beach - where one can dig ones own hot pool in the sand, but sadly arrive at the wrong tide time for digging. The girls run on the beach and collect shells, we have a quick coffee and hot chocolate in the beach cafe and continue our journey on Highway 309. This is the only unsealed road we have travelled on in New Zealand and it twists and turns up and up across the Coromandel Peninsular. We are heading for Coromandel Town itself as we have heard it is a hub for arts, crafts and slightly alternative living. As we near the end of the unmade track the car is suddenly surrounded by what we initially recognise as pigs - on closer inspection they are definitely wild boar - although part of a farm and not truly wild. The girls shriek with delight as there are several of the tiniest piglets scampering around and for a while we cant progress any further as we are slightly concerned about running one over. The boar are inquisitive and investigate the car thoroughly squealing and snuffling before trotting back to their rooting around in the mud.

When we get to Coromandel it is raining and a bit of a ghost town. We are all disappointed as we were looking forward to an afternoon exploring. A grey, drizzly afternoon in a sleepy, closed up town is not what we had hoped and so we decide to head down the coast to Thames. By the time we reach the town, the rain is falling heavily and the first backpackers we try is closed, the second is freezing cold and empty and the third has just had all its's carpets ripped out and is undergoing renovation during the off season. With heavy hearts we press on to Auckland and after several phone calls including one answered "What do you want?!" (we avoid this one!) we end up at the Jucy. This is a cross between a hotel and a backpackers - but we have a Jucy rental car and as we will be there for 4 nights (our longest stay ever!) we manage to negotiate a very good deal. It also has the benefit of secure off street parking and is also central.